MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Hey guys. I dont delve much into car audio, so I am not knowledgeable in this area by any means. So please bear with me! I have a clarion headunit with 6.5" 3way pioneers in the front and rears. I am trying to figure out why my sound is muddy. It doesnt distort until I go > 27 or 28 on the vol, so I dont think that is the issue. I am thinking the wiring or something. I have played with the bass and treble settings, is I turn the trb up, the sound gets clearer, but still somewhat muddy and obviously the highs are too oud...Anway, I am not looking for the worlds best sound, just a sharp crisp sound with some bass. Any tips?

Thanks for bearing with me! And thanks in advance for the help!

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

I assume that you are not using an outboard amplifier. If you are not, getting one will help you get more clean power. Also make sure that you do not have too much boosting going on. You may have to get new speakers as well. The good thing is that if you do, you really only need to replace the front ones.

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

The speakers are very new, the fronts are about 4 months, the rears about 2 months. I dont have an outboard amp, but may look into getting one. What do you mean exactly by boosted? Remember, I dont know car audio...nto my specialty. Thanks man for the info that helped a lot!

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

No problem. By boosted I mean that you do not want the Loudness function engaged as well as the bass/treble being turned up. Some HU's incorporate a loudness feature, as well as some other types of enhancements that when combined do not equal good sound. Take a Pioneer HU I had a little while back. It had a loudness feature (boost low and high frequencies at low volume), a BMX feature (supposed to make compressed music sound better), and BBE (kind of like loudness, but better). I turned them all on just to see how it sounded and did not like it at all. The only one I used was the BBE function, but at a very low level (out of +4 to -4 I had it on -3 or -4).

Adding an amplifier will help though, as the HU's power is not very clean, or enough. You could just get an amp for the front speakers, and run the back ones from the HU.

mendon99

iTrader: (15)

ahhh and thus is the difference between amped internals and running your speakers straight from the deck...

with an amp and tuned properly = can get loud and stay clean without distortion

without an amp = gets almost as loud, but sounds like crap and easily distorts

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Wow. Thanks for the input both of you. I am learning a lot. Anyway, so I need a decent amp, nothing big either. So any preferences/suggestions? Looking for a good price deal to, dont want to spend much.

Also, should/would I have to upgrade the stock wiring? Thanks guys! Much appreciated.

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

How much is much? Upgrading your wiring would nice, but not absolutely necessary.

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Well, I am not sure how much amps usually run, so if you have suggestion, just shoot. I will take anything into consideration. Thanks!

Edit: Would something like this be ok?

http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/product...model=MRP-M450

or could this even do the job?

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...522415,00.html

My speakers are only rate at 180 watts...atleast thats what the box says...so those should power them nicely, right?

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

The problem you are experiencing is lack of power, clarion's are not high power headunits, not that any headunit really is, but some do have a decent amount of power, enough for you to get away with running them to your speakers. I used one before and had the same issue you're having, and I just left the stero off 99% of the time for the 2 weeks that I had it (sold the car after putting it in).

If you get an outboard amp, you will definately be alot happier with the sound. Good luck, and what budget are you looking at for the amp? If we know how much you want to spend we can offer a suggestions, if money is no object get a 4150xxk it's only like ~$600

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Any suggestions on what amp to get? Watts? Brand? Etc...? I will keep looking for some.

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

Hmm, you really don't need anythng monstrous, something in the realms of 50rms x 4, I think DLS would have something suitable that wouldn't break the bank.

mendon99

iTrader: (15)

eclipse EA4000.

(its beautiful parag)

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Alright, since I am a total noob in this, I need some help.

I need to know, how many channels do I need? I want to power all four(2 F, 2 R) speakers.
And how man ohms my stereo is?
And someone I know told me that I should go for RMS of 180. But would this kill the speakers? The speakers are 3 way pioneers with 180W limit.

Here are a few I was thinking about that I happened to find.
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=4308 JBL
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...Product_ID=237 JBL
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=2493 Kenwood
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=3789 Kicker
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=3807 Eclipse
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=2663 Rockford Fosgate

Sorry for all of this guys. I am not knowledgeable here and you guys are being a big help. I am learning more as I go along! Oh, and I wouldnt buy online, I know someone who does custom sound, but he's a ways away so I figured you guys could help me out. And that you are.

mendon99

iTrader: (15)

the eclipse is on sale here:

http://searchstore.cardomain.com/?qu...lipse%20ea4000

it does 75x4 @ 4ohms which is where you want it.

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Hey man, thanks for that link. One thing though. I found my speakers online and the normal W for them is only 35W, peak 180W...so should I run any more than 35 on an amp? Do I even need an amp now?